TikTok Performances of Secondary ELA Teachers

This paper describes a study on popular TikTok video content generated by secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teachers. We examined the TikTok videos through the frameworks of Goffman’s (1956) performances. The top 20 most-liked videos on 50 public secondary ELA teacher TikTok accounts were collected via three approaches and systematically reviewed. The categories of examined content were re-enactments, teacher tips, non-teacher related, trends, responding to comments/audience, and health. The findings reflect that TikToks are serving as performances that provide fronts, dramatic realizations, and idealizations for viewers and their understanding of the ELA teaching profession. These TikToks can be utilized to support current and aspiring ELA teachers.